Multiple receptacle dispensing apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

A dispensing apparatus includes a body having sides forming an enclosed interior compartment, the body having an opening on a front side into the interior compartment; at least one barrier positioned within the enclosed interior compartment to form at least two receptacles within the interior compartment; and at least one flap pivotally attached to the front side to cover the opening; the at least two receptacles are accessible through the opening.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to health item dispensing systems, and more specifically, to a multi-compartment dispensing apparatus for convenient dispensing of items commonly needed during a sickness and/or cold.

2. Description of Related Art

Health item dispensing systems are well known in the art and are effective means to provide users with items needed during sickness and/or a cold. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional tissue dispensing system 101 having a box 103 with an opening 105 for receiving tissue 107. During use, tissue is removed from box 103 for use and commonly left lying around the user's home.

One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is unsanitary conditions. For example, users commonly leave used tissue lying around their home, thereby spreading germs. In addition, it is common for a user to require other items such as cough drops and/or hand sanitizer, this can lead to many items cluttering up the user's home.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of sanitation dispensing systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified oblique view of a common tissue dispensing system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are oblique views of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of the dispensing apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a health item dispensing system with the dispensing apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B; and

FIG. 5 is an oblique view of an alternative embodiment of dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present application.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional health item dispensing systems. Specifically, the present invention provides a means to conveniently keep multiple items at hand. In addition, the present invention provides a means to improve sanitation associated with health dispensing items. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict oblique views of a dispensing apparatus 201 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that apparatus 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional health systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, apparatus 201 includes a body 203 having a plurality of sides forming an inner compartment 205. Body 203 further includes an opening 207 on a front side 209, the opening 207 providing access to compartment 205. Apparatus 201 further includes one or more barriers 211 a, 211 b separating compartment 205 into at least two receptacles 213 a, 213 b, 213 c. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, apparatus 201 includes two barriers to create three receptacles, however it should be appreciated that more or less barriers could be used. It should also be appreciated that the barriers fully separate the receptacles, thereby providing a barrier to prevent germs from transferring from one receptacle to another.

Apparatus 201 further includes a flap 215 pivotally attached to front surface 209. It should be appreciated that flap 215 by any means configured to provide the pivoting mechanism shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. It is also contemplated that multiple flaps could be provided covering each receptacle individually. It is further contemplated that a spring loaded hinge could be used to provide resistance to flap 215.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, flap 215 can include one or more tabs 217 configured to engage with a plurality of slots (shown in FIG. 3) to secure the flap in a closed position.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the use of multiple receptacles being configured to hold health items, wherein the receptacles are covered by a flap. It should be appreciated that this feature allows for improved sanitation associated with the storage and dispensing of health items.

In FIGS. 3A and 3B, side views show the closure of flap 215, wherein one or more tabs 217 engages with one or more slots 301, thereby holding the flap closed.

In FIG. 4 a front view demonstrates a health dispensing system 401 associated with the present invention. System 401 includes apparatus 201, having three receptacles 213 a, 213 b, 213 c for holding various health items. In this embodiment, one receptacle holds a plurality of cough drops 403, a second receptacle holds hand sanitizer 405, and a third receptacle holds a plurality of re-closable bags 407 such as 4 mil re-closable polypropylene bags. It should be understood that this system provides many of the items necessary during sickness and/or a cold. The re-closeable bags 407 are provided for disposing of used tissue in a sanitary means.

In FIG. 5, an oblique view of an alternative embodiment of a dispensing apparatus 501 is shown. Apparatus 501 is similar in form and function to apparatus 201. Apparatus 501 includes a body 503 having a plurality of sides forming an inner compartment separated into a front portion 505 and a back portion 507. In this embodiment, the front portion 505 includes one or more barriers 509 to separate the front portion 505 into a plurality of receptacles 511. Apparatus 501 further includes an opening 513 into the receptacles and accessible via a flap 515. In addition, apparatus 501 includes a top opening 517 configured to provide access to tissue 519.

It should be appreciated that the size and materials of apparatuses 201 and 501 can vary as aesthetical, functional, or manufacturing considerations require. Preferred materials include cardboard, wood, plastic, or metal.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing apparatus, having: a body having plurality of sides forming an enclosed interior compartment, the body having an opening on a front side of the plurality of sides into the interior compartment; at least one barrier positioned within the enclosed interior compartment to form at least two receptacles within the interior compartment; and at least one flap pivotally attached to the front side and configured to cover the opening; wherein the at least two receptacles are accessible through the opening.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two receptacles are completely separated by the at least one barrier.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one flap is two separate flaps configured to cover the at least two receptacles.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier is two barriers configured to separate the at least two receptacles into three receptacles.
 5. A dispensing apparatus, having: a body having a plurality of sides forming an interior compartment separated into a front portion and a back portion, the body having: a top with a first opening into the back portion; and a front side with a second opening into the front portion; at least one barrier positioned within the front portion and configured to separate the front portion into at least two receptacles; and a flap pivotally attached to the front portion and configured to cover the second opening; wherein the second opening is configured to provide access to the at least two receptacles.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one barrier is two barriers configured to separate the front portion into three receptacles.
 7. A health dispensing system, having: the apparatus of claim 4; a plurality of cough drops secured within a first receptacle of the three receptacles and accessible from the opening; a hand sanitizing dispensing container secured within a second receptacle of the three receptacles; and a plurality of re-closable bags secured within a third receptacle of the three receptacles; wherein the plurality or re-closable bags are provided for disposal of tissues. 